Monitoring the potential for coronavirus

No cases of the infectious coronavirus have been identified in South Carolina. But DHEC, the state health agency, is closely monitoring for potential cases, both domestically and abroad. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more serious cases including pneumonia. Though the potential of human-to-human spread raises concern in the U-S, the Centers for Disease Control at this time believes the risk to the American public remains low. No extra precautions are recommended at this time other than simple precautions. They include getting a flu shot, washing hands, covering your cough, and properly disposing tissues and other items contaminated with respiratory droplets.